data Archives

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

Review: Pragmata PC Review: Path Tracing Is A Game Changer

Path tracing scalability is maximized on the RTX 5090 with 4K DLSS quality mode, while the RTX 5070 can achieve a commendable experience using optimized settings at 1440p DLSS balanced mode. The RTX 5070 is the most prevalent Blackwell GPU according to the Steam Hardware Survey, indicating that path tracing is becoming mainstream. Optimal performance in Pragmata on an 8GB GPU requires selecting the lowest texture quality setting due to bugs and potential stuttering with medium settings. Higher mesh quality settings may reduce geometry on 8GB cards. Optimized settings for Pragmata include various configurations for ray tracing, texture quality, and shadow quality, closely mirroring developer settings for current-generation consoles. Enabling the shadow cache option significantly improves frame rates by reusing existing shadow data.

Winsage

May 6, 2026

Microsoft’s Windows 11 update just fixed memory leaks, slow startup, and File Explorer bugs

Microsoft released the April 2026 optional preview update (KB5083631) for Windows 11, targeting versions 24H2 and 25H2. This update resolves the "white flash" bug in File Explorer, overhauls its codebase, and preserves user settings for View and Sort preferences. It improves the reliability of the explorer.exe process, optimizes the Delivery Optimization service to reduce memory leaks, and enhances the boot sequence for faster startup. The update lifts the FAT32 formatting limit from 32GB to 2TB. It also includes reliability improvements for the Taskbar, fixes for Microsoft Store download errors, resolves a Windows Hello fingerprint data loss issue, enhances Remote Desktop scaling, ensures color profile consistency, and improves the Fluid Dictation feature. The comprehensive improvements will be included in the mandatory Patch Tuesday update on May 12, 2026.

Tech Optimizer

May 5, 2026

Open Source Tamper-Proof Database Adds Immutable Audit Logging and Expands PostgreSQL Compatibility

Codenotary has released immudb 1.11, an open-source database that enhances immutable audit logging and compatibility with PostgreSQL. This version features integrated audit logging that captures database activities in a tamper-proof manner, eliminating the need for external logging systems. It allows organizations to create unalterable audit trails, streamline compliance processes, and maintain a reliable history of data interactions. Immudb 1.11 is compatible with existing PostgreSQL code, enabling seamless integration with various applications and tools. The database is particularly beneficial for sectors requiring trust and accountability, such as finance, software development, cybersecurity, regulated industries, AI systems, and supply chain management. Immudb has over 50 million downloads and supports a zero-trust approach to data management. The open-source version is available on GitHub.

Winsage

May 5, 2026

April 2026 Windows Update Breaks Third-Party Backup Software by Blocking Vulnerable Driver

Microsoft will include the psmounterex.sys driver in its Vulnerable Driver Blocklist in the April 2026 security update, affecting third-party backup applications that use this driver for image mounting and Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) snapshots. This decision addresses CVE-2023-43896, a critical buffer overflow vulnerability. Affected software includes Macrium Reflect, Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, UrBackup Server, and NinjaOne Backup on Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server platforms. Users may face issues during image-mount operations, receiving error messages related to VSS timeouts and Code Integrity errors in the Event Viewer. To check if a system is affected, users can look for Event ID 3077 in the Code Integrity Operational log. Microsoft recommends upgrading to newer versions of backup applications that do not use blocked drivers and advises against uninstalling or delaying the April update. Additionally, the update may cause certain Windows Server 2025 devices to boot into BitLocker recovery mode and has led to out-of-band updates for Windows Server update failures and restart loops on domain controllers.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Fitbit’s Public Preview app is missing data for some users

The Fitbit app is experiencing issues for some users, particularly with the new timeline-style Today tab, which is largely blank and only shows minimal information. The updated Public Preview version of the app is malfunctioning, failing to provide the expected insights and AI-generated text summaries, which is problematic for users transitioning their legacy accounts to Google. The app relies on AI technology, specifically Gemini, for generating personalized guidance, but without these features, the interface appears empty. While some users have not faced these issues, others are concerned about potential data loss during the transition to Google accounts. A Fitbit moderator noted that some data may have been moved to the Fitness tab, and restarting the tracker and app may help resolve perceived data loss.

Winsage

May 5, 2026

Unpatched flaws turn Ollama’s auto-updater into a persistent RCE vector, researchers say

Researchers at Striga have identified two vulnerabilities (CVE-2026-42248 and CVE-2026-42249) in Ollama’s Windows auto-updater that could allow an attacker to install a persistent executable that runs at user login. CVE-2026-42248 fails to properly verify signatures of downloaded content, while CVE-2026-42249 is a path traversal flaw that allows an attacker to inject malicious code into the user's Startup folder. Exploitation requires control over the update response, with potential methods including compromising the update infrastructure or redirecting the client. The vulnerabilities affect Ollama versions 0.12.10 through 0.17.5, and users are advised to disable auto-updates and remove shortcuts from the Startup folder to mitigate risks.

BetaBeacon

May 5, 2026

ScarCruft Hacks Gaming Platform to Deploy BirdCall Malware on Android and Windows

ScarCruft compromised a video game platform in a supply chain attack, trojanizing its components with a backdoor called BirdCall to target ethnic Koreans residing in China. The attack enabled the threat actors to target both Windows and Android devices, turning it into a multi-platform threat. The campaign targeted sqgame[.]net, a gaming platform used by ethnic Koreans in China, known as a transit point for North Korean defectors. BirdCall has features like screenshot capture, keystroke logging, and data gathering, and relies on legitimate cloud services for command-and-control. The Android variant collects various data and has seen active development.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Meta enhances security of WhatsApp and Messenger encrypted backups

Meta has enhanced the security and transparency of its end-to-end encrypted backup system for WhatsApp and Messenger. The improvements focus on refining the distribution and verification of encryption keys, and allow for independent audits of certain infrastructure components. The updates are based on Meta's Hardware Security Module (HSM)-based Backup Key Vault architecture, which securely stores recovery secrets in tamper-resistant hardware, ensuring that neither Meta nor cloud service providers can access users' message archives. For encrypted backups, users' devices generate a 256-bit encryption key locally, which encrypts all backup data before uploading it to cloud storage. The key remains on the device in an encrypted format, with the user's password not visible to Meta or third parties. An encrypted version of the backup key is stored in the HSM-based vault using the OPAQUE password-authenticated key exchange protocol, enhancing recovery security without revealing the password. The recent updates include an over-the-air (OTA) fleet key distribution mechanism, which avoids hardcoding trusted infrastructure keys into Messenger applications. Clients receive a “validation bundle” containing the HSM fleet's public keys during runtime, with signatures verified against Cloudflare’s Key Transparency system. The vault operates across at least seven data centers using majority-consensus replication to ensure availability and integrity. Meta plans to publish cryptographic proof of each new HSM fleet deployment, allowing advanced users and researchers to verify these deployments through the open-source “mbt” (Meta Binary Transparency) CLI tool, which conducts multiple checks to confirm that fleet keys are untampered.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

FEMITBOT Network Abuses Telegram Mini Apps for Crypto Scams and Android Malware

A fraud network called FEMITBOT has emerged, using Telegram's Mini App feature to conduct investment scams and distribute malware. Identified by the research firm CTM360, the network operates through API responses and presents itself as organized. The scams involve Telegram Mini Apps that display phishing pages, fake dashboards showing fictitious earnings, and urgency tactics to pressure users into making quick decisions. FEMITBOT mimics well-known brands like Apple and Coca-Cola to enhance credibility and disseminates Android malware disguised as legitimate applications. The operation is highly organized, utilizing marketing tools to optimize their scams. Users are warned to be cautious of bots requesting deposits before granting access to funds.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Half of all PC gamers now have GPUs with more than 8GB of VRAM

Approximately 49.95% of PC gamers are using graphics cards with more than 8GB of VRAM, with 23.51% using 16GB, 13.45% using 12GB, and 26.76% using 8GB. Additionally, 6.19% of gamers have GPUs with 24GB or more VRAM. The demand for higher VRAM is driven by the need for better image fidelity in gaming, particularly with high-quality textures and effects like ray tracing. The growth of GPUs with 16GB of VRAM is notable, led by models such as the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB and Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB. Despite this trend, the current memory crisis may keep 8GB cards relevant for another generation.